Affirmation of Faith: Psalm 20

Here’s an affirmation of faith inspired by Psalm 20.  It was written by Bruce Prewer.

Almost a Creed

(inspired by Psalm 20)

Do we believe?

Yes, in spite of ourselves, we do believe!

While some follow fad and fashion,

changing with the seasons in Paris, London and New York,

we follow the man from Nazareth.

While some put their hope in a big lotto win,

or chase profits at no matter what cost to family,

we put our hope in loving one another as our Christ has loved us.

While some may give in to a sophisticated cynicism,

or some fall into apathy or despair,

we put out faith in the God who has given us his only true son.

While some may boast of their superior education,

culture, race, or living standard,

we boast in the self-giving of that Son on a Cross.

While some try to justify themselves by prizing fame or power,

or by claiming superior morals,

we allow the grace of our Lord to Jesus to be our best prize.

Because of Jesus,

yes, we believe in the living God

by whose Holy Spirit all things are open to change and renewal.

And that includes us and the church,

thanks be to God!

— written by Bruce Prewer, and posted on Bruce Prewer’s Home Page.  http://www.bruceprewer.com/

Opening Prayer: John 20: 19-31

Here’s an opening prayer inspired by John 20:19-31, and written in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was written by Rev. Dr. Libby Grammer, Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church in Martinsville, VA.

Opening Prayer

(inspired by John 20:19-31)

God, we are in a liminal space,

one where chaos and disorder have confused our lives,

yet one where we also find time to rest and receive your peace.

We sit with the disciples behind our locked doors and wait in fear,

and when you appear,

we are given a spirit of peace only you can give.

Hold us in your grace this morning,

offering us the same hopeful word you offered those frightened disciples

that Easter evening so many years ago.

We pray this all in the name of your son,

our Risen Savior, Jesus Christ,

who taught us all to pray, saying: Our Father…

~ submitted by Rev. Dr. Libby Grammer, Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church in Martinsville, VA. https://fbcmartinsville.com

Call to Worship: John 20: 24-29

Here’s a responsive call to worship inspired by the account of Thomas’s encounter with Jesus in John 20:24-29. It was written by Pastor Andreas Wagner, and posted on Modern Liturgist.

Call to Worship

(inspired by John 20:24-29)

Thomas said:

“Unless I see the mark of the nails

and put my hand in his side,

I will not believe.”

We are often skeptical people,

driven by our senses,

relying on that which we can hear, see or prove.

Our Lord asks us to see the invisible,

to trust in the spirit, to have faith.

Lord, give us faith!

Sometimes we get carried away by our emotions,

by wishful thinking

and by popular trends that pull us in.

Lord, help us to be bold in our beliefs,

but also careful as Thomas was.

Move us beyond mere trust in ordinary things

and open our eyes for spiritual realities.

Jesus said: “Blessed are those who have not seen

and yet have come to believe.”

Amen.

~ written by Pastor Andreas Wagner and posted on Modern Liturgist. http://modernliturgist.org/

Call to Worship: Beliefs and Doubts

Here’s a call to worship from Tim Graves’s LiturgyBits site. 

Call to Worship

We gather as people on a journey.

We believe & we have doubts,
we do good & we sin.
We are imperfect humans,
and still beloved by God.

Love and grace. Hope and faith.
These are the essence of the one we call God.
We seek forgiveness & grace from
the One and from those we’ve harmed.

Assured of that grace,
we are ready to grow again.
We yearn for a new way,
a new perspective,
and a clear path.

Though we are full of trust
and full of doubt, we are here.

Speak to us, God!

Continue creating us!
Inspire our hearts.
Enlighten our minds.
Guide our actions. Amen.            

~ written by Tim Graves and posted on LiturgyBits. https://liturgybits.wordpress.com

Blessing: Trusting in God's Promises

Here’s a blessing from Jeff’s blog (see link below).

Blessing

May you trust in God’s promises to his people:

peace

security

blessing

even when they are difficult to believe.

May you know that God’s news is good news,

nourishing

true

even when people tell you it is not.

And when you encounter doubt,

may you strengthen your belief

guiding you in his perfect wisdom and counsel.

~ posted on Jeff’s Blog. https://blog.wisch.org/category/benedictions-and-prayers/

Prayer of Confession: Skeptics

Here is a prayer of brokenness/confession following by words of assurance from Rev. Mindi’s Rev-o-lution website (link below.) The prayer of confession was inspired by events in John 20.

Prayer of Brokenness/Confession
(inspired by John 20:19-31)

Creator God,

we confess that at times we are skeptics.

At times we doubt that You exist

because of the evil we have seen in the world.

Oppression, marginalization, and plain hate still plague our world,

and it is hard to see Your love and light.

Sometimes, even those who bear Your name

do not walk in Your ways.

Help us to see Your goodness in this world.

Help us to know Your love.

Fill us with Your love and goodness,

so that we might love one another,

and lift up one another in faith. Amen.

Words of Assurance/Blessing

(from Psalm 27:13-14)

The psalmist says,

“I am sure I shall see the goodness of our God

in the land of the living.

Wait for the Lord;

be strong,

and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!”

Know that you do not wait alone.

God has given us one another for this journey of faith,

to help one another.

Know that you do not wait alone;

Christ is with us.

Be encouraged, and encourage one another.

Go and share the Good News. Amen.

~ written by Rev. Mindi and posted on Rev-o-lution. http://rev-o-lution.org/